The Young Women’s Cabinet

Valerie Ritsch is a senior at Minnesota State University Mankato studying Recreation and Parks Leadership Studies. Initially planning to pursue a different degree at a school in Ohio, Valerie was drawn to RPLS for its focus on making a tangible, positive impact on the quality of life for all. Her studies emphasize creating accessible recreation opportunities, fostering community connections, and addressing barriers to participation for underserved groups. Valerie is committed to supporting marginalized communities, particularly women, gender-expansive individuals, and others in alignment with the YWCA’s mission. Politically engaged and service-oriented, she works to address systemic inequities and improve access to resources that foster equity and community well-being. She is also in the process of earning her hot air balloon pilot’s license, embracing her adventurous spirit while continuing to serve and uplift those around her.

Fabiana Jurupe is a second-year college student at Minnesota State University Mankato, having transferred from Normandale Community College. She is a first-generation immigrant from Peru pursuing a degree in Applied Health Sciences with an emphasis in public health. She is a member of the honorary society group of her major, Eta Sigma Gamma. She loves history and politics and how they affect people of color, especially women of color. She’s a proud brown woman and advocates for being brown as a positive thing rather than something to be ashamed or repulsed by. She’s fluent in both English and Spanish and loves a good debate/conversation. She has a permanently curious mind that always seeks conclusions and deeper meanings in them.

Addison Wienke is a sophomore at Minnesota State Mankato studying psychology and American Sign Language. She is currently working part-time while volunteering as a teacher’s assistant for an after-school art class in St. Clair, Minnesota, while pursuing her degree. Growing up in a household with a hard-of-hearing father, she is passionate about making mental health resources accessible for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology in the future. In her free time, she loves to crochet, draw, and play board games. She is also involved in the MNSU concert choir and loves to sing.

Originally from Annandale, Avery is a junior majoring in sociology and anthropology at Gustavus Adolphus College. Avery has volunteered at various nonprofits and has experience managing her own fundraisers. As a disability services summer work experience intern at CHOICE, Inc., she planned and implemented educational and recreational programs for 80 adults with intellectual disabilities, including community outings and hands-on job coaching. While she plans to continue her internship this summer, she is currently researching how social inequality is reproduced by the criminal justice system. In her free time, Avery enjoys engaging her campus community by participating in Students for Reproductive Freedom, singing her heart out in Lucia Singers, hitting the gym on a stressful day, or curling up with a good book.

Lucy Simmons-Pope is a young college student, hoping to learn more about the issues women face and how to combat them. She is deeply passionate about human rights and aspires to become someone who helps foster change. She hopes to become an educator and work with organizations that aid at-risk communities. As an educator, she wishes to teach the next generation of students to understand their roles in the world and the positive effect they can have by showing kindness to one another.

Kaitlyn Rudolf is a junior at Mankato West High School. She is currently a member of the National Honor Society and is involved in musical theater throughout the southern and metro areas. Alongside her theater involvement, she has studied classical ballet and dance for 13 years, incorporating that technique into her theater platform. Kaitlyn holds leadership roles in several school clubs. She is a part of Mental Health Connections, where she strives to help her peers navigate mental health challenges and access resources. She is also a member of Hope Squad, serving as a peer advocate for suicide prevention. Kaitlyn is deeply involved in music and has been playing the piano, guitar, ukulele, and trumpet. She studies voice performance and acting at the MacPhail Center for Performing Arts and takes voice lessons in the Minneapolis area. Kaitlyn is passionate about promoting equality and fostering inclusion for everyone.

Yusra Omar is a Black Muslim woman from southern Minnesota and a graduate of Capella University. Raised by two refugee immigrants from Somalia, she is passionate about raising awareness of inclusiveness for other Black Muslims in Mankato, Minnesota. She works as a program supervisor for women with mental health and developmental disabilities. Yusra is also involved in groups that advocate for diversity in local schools and raise awareness about the school-to-prison pipeline in her community. She enjoys traveling throughout the Middle East, seeing world wonders, and attending Taylor Swift concerts.

Amina Nor is a Somali Muslim junior at Mankato West High School with a passion for business and computer science. She began taking college-level business courses when she was 15 and plans to pursue a degree in business administration. Currently, Amina is a full-time PSEO student at Minnesota State University and an active member of the National Honor Society at her high school. She is involved in the Sewing for Success program at the YWCA and is in the process of launching her own initiative, Code & Create, which aims to empower young women and girls by equipping them with valuable coding skills and inspiring them to explore careers in STEM. Amina is deeply committed to advocating for financial equality and equal opportunities to create a brighter and more inclusive future for all. In her free time, Amina enjoys running, baking, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors.

Bella Macemon is a military brat turned hot-dish-loving Minnesotan. She is currently a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College, majoring in English and business management. Her upbringing inspired a passion for community and a desire to amplify all voices. As a member of the YWCA Mankato Cabinet, she is excited to learn more about advocacy, policy, and enacting change. In her free time, she can be found reading a book, watching SNL, and spending time with family.

Katherine Callahan is a junior at Saint Peter High School and a concurrent enrollment student through Minnesota State University. She is involved in National Honor Society as well as Project for Teens. She enjoys playing soccer for the Saint’s varsity team and runs for the varsity track and field program. Outside of school, she enhances her language skills by volunteering at the Saint Peter Free Clinic and tries her best to keep plants healthy at the Mayo Clinic Community Garden, Eastridge. Katherine is interested in furthering her education after high school and plans to major in political science. She is dedicated to deepening the connections within her community and making those around her feel supported.

Miika Benning is a sophomore studying psychology and gender, women & sexuality studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. Passionate about therapeutic practices for marginalized voices, Miika worked as a counselor-in-training at Lakeville Public Schools, where she developed a rapport with elementary school students while apprenticing in the practice of children’s mental health. With her degree, Miika plans to focus on therapeutic practices centered on the historically marginalized voices of gender-diverse, neurodivergent, disabled, and queer communities. In their leisure time, Miika loves to play board games, rewatch cult classics, compare root beer brands, play trombone, and quote Monty Python sketches.

Maya Betti (she/her) is a sophomore English and political science major at St. Olaf College in Northfield. She is a student journalist and serves as the news editor of the Olaf Messenger, where she covers local politics and community. She has also written for the nonprofit community newspaper, the St. Paul Park Bugle. Maya is passionate about community initiatives and advocacy and has a strong belief in the role of women in politics. She interned for the Office of Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan this past summer and is excited to become more involved in public policy work. In her free time, Maya can be found reading memoirs of former NYT journalists, figuring out how to crochet, and watching West Wing. 

Bridget Cisneros (she/her) is a mixed-race Latina, and a senior at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. She is enrolled in the visual arts track where she enjoys drawing, painting, and sculpting. She is a proud member of her school’s National Honor Society, where she helps organize and participate in school events and fundraisers. Her favorite academic subject is math, and after graduating she hopes to major in either mathematics and/or political science. Bridget is passionate about public transportation, the environment, LGBTQ+ rights, and keeping Minnesota a pro-choice state. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and watching movies about queer history, and listening to music. 

Rania Abdullahi (she/her), a senior at The Blake School in Minneapolis, is a committed student and leader. At school, she serves on the Student Diversity and Leadership Council (SDLC) Community Service Board and teaches at the Breakthrough Minneapolis program. She volunteers with VEAP, the Learning in Style school, advocating for refugee and immigrant communities. In her free time, Rania enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with family and friends. Rania looks forward to meeting and connecting with the other Cabinet members and hopes to make a positive impact on our community. 

Josibeth Aguilera (she/her) is a senior at St. Catherine University majoring in international studies and political science. She is from Beltrami County, Minnesota. She has a passion for immigration issues, foreign affairs, and civic education. Currently, she is the Student Civic Engagement Coordinator at St. Kate’s. In Spring 2024, she independently researched democracy and civic participation in Kathmandu, Nepal. In summer 2024, she completed an internship with the U.S. Foreign Service in Washington, D.C., supporting humanitarian efforts at the Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migration. Previously, Josi has also interned for Representative Dave Pinto in the Minnesota House of Representatives and with the Sisters of St. Joseph Social Justice Office. 

Sundus Dhayow is a junior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in marketing. Her passion for learning drives her both academically and personally. Outside of class, she enjoys exploring new coffee shops, playing pickleball, and spending time outdoors with friends. Before transferring, Sundus served on the Student Senate board at Concordia University, where she helped communicate students’ ideas, interests, and concerns to professors, administrators, and students. This summer, she completed a sales and marketing internship, gaining valuable hands-on experience and enhancing her resume. Sundus is excited to continue expanding her skills and knowledge in the field of marketing and beyond.

Bio still to come.

Natividad Herrera Garcia (she/her) is a 2023 graduate of St. Catherine University, where she majored in social work and minored in critical studies of race and ethnicity. She is passionate about reaching equitable solutions by centering community voice and transparency. Herrera Garcia currently works as a DEI specialist in state government. Honoring her Mexican heritage and community is important to her. She is a member of her organization’s Latinos Unidos employee resource group and previously served as a board member in the St. Kate’s Latinx Student Association. Recreationally, she enjoys volunteering at community events, being outdoors, and attending artistic workshops.

Sophie Hunter (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Minneapolis Community and Technical College where she is pursuing her education in pre-nursing and American Indian studies. For over a year, Sophie has served as a traditional birth worker with the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. In her work, Sophie assists Native women in the integration of traditional values into their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences while maintaining a high standard of care. As a proud Hoocąk and Mvskoke woman, Sophie is committed to enhancing the quality of care for Native women both in the birthing room and beyond. In her personal time, Sophie enjoys taking long walks with her dog, spending time with her family, and reading.

Ruthe Johnson (she/her) is a dedicated professional who graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2023 with a B.A. in biology, society, and environment, along with a minor in public health. As a first-generation student, Ruthe has pursued a career dedicated to advancing healthcare and advocating for marginalized communities. She currently works at NMDP, where she is involved in providing life-saving cellular therapies for patients with blood cancers and disorders. Ruthe is deeply committed to sexual and reproductive health, health equity, and maternal and child care. Her goal is to leverage her scientific expertise and advocacy passion to foster more inclusive environments for women, particularly those in rural Minnesota, and beyond. Outside of her professional life, Ruthe enjoys exploring new restaurants and shops, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Maya Larson (she/her) is deafblind and a passionate rights disability advocate from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She currently works for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. She attended Grinnell College in Iowa, graduating in 2022 with a BA in English and French. At Grinnell, she co-founded the Grinnell Disability Alliance to foster more engagement and support for students with disabilities. She is currently a trustee with the Minnesota DeafBlind Association. Maya enjoys creative writing, lifting weights, and going on walks with her guide dog.

Mumtaaz Mahammud Hirsi (she/her) is an honors undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in psychology with minors in African American studies and global studies. She is passionate about health equity, women’s rights, reproductive rights, and racial justice. Mumtaaz works as a nursing assistant at Fairview Ridges Hospital and volunteers at a local law firm, with ambitions to become a healthcare lawyer. As a member of the undergraduate student government at UMN, she advocates for food security, campus safety, prayer spaces, and DEI initiatives. In her free time, Mumtaaz enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new TV shows.

Lillian Masinde (she/her) is a junior at Carleton College, majoring in history, minoring in Africana studies, on the pre-law track. At Carleton, she is an active member in African Caribbean Association, Black Student Association, and works as a resident assistant. This past summer, she interned at the Public Engagement Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and hopes to bring the insights she gained from this experience to YWI. In her free time, she thoroughly enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and having a good laugh with her loved ones.

Saynab Mohamed(she/her) is a sophomore at Augsburg University, majoring in international business and minoring in psychology. As a Black Muslim woman, she is passionate about community service work and is a huge advocate for mental health services. Saynab’s commitment to her community and her strong leadership skills make her a valuable asset in any endeavor she undertakes.

Kavya Nair (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, studying political science. She is the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. In the past, she has interned for HomeTown Bank, the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, Angie Craig for Congress, the Office of Governor Tim Walz, and Kelly Morrison for Congress. This summer she was one of the Harris/ Walz delegates representing Minnesota at the Democratic National Convention. She is passionate about engaging youth in politics serving as the Political Director for Minnesota Young DFL, and Senate District 60’s DFL Youth Engagement Director. In her free time Kavya enjoys baking, going shopping with friends, and going to concerts. 

Maria Shavers (she/her), a senior at St. Cloud Tech High School, is a dedicated and accomplished leader. She serves as the president of the student council and secretary of the executive board. Maria is an active member of Common Ground, Student Voice, and Student Equity, advocating for inclusivity and student representation. She volunteers with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), promoting gender equity. In her free time, Maria is a beauty influencer and enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Maria is excited to collaborate with other Cabinet members to make a positive impact.

Valahlena Steeprock (she/her) is a Native American mother of a 5-year-old daughter and is currently a paraprofessional at a middle school. As an Indigenous model, she’s hit the runaway for famous Indigenous designers and has been in numerous photos for Ne-Dah-Ness Rose Green, who does activist photos for MMIW and for Water is Life that have gone viral in media. She is an organizer for the MMIW218 Organization, since 2019. Valahlena is the lead advocate for her cousin Nevaeh Kingbird, who has been missing since 2021 from Bemidji. She has organized events in her community and speaks for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives to bring awareness, justice, and the reminder that Indigenous people are still here and are not forgotten. She has done fundraisers and planned searches, traveling all over Minnesota to speak and get resources for her cousin Nevaeh. Valahlena’s goals moving forward are to fight for equality and justice for her Indigenous relatives and to make positive changes in Minnesota communities. 

Himeeka (she/her) is a freshman at the University of Minnesota, where she is studying business on a pre-law track. She is Desi and Muslim, active in community engagement, and passionate about politics and lawmaking. In 2024, she graduated from Prior Lake High School, where she was highly involved, participating in and creating student affinity groups and organizations. Outside of academics, Himeeka enjoys listening to and playing music and stays active by working towards her third-degree black belt in karate. 

Brooke (she/her) is a junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth studying political science and marketing on the pre-law track. She serves as a representative on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Student Basic Needs Working Committee and the UMN Student Academic Integrity Governance Committee. She is the acting president of her school’s yoga club and formerly served as an executive in student government. Born and raised in St. Cloud, Brooke is passionate about advocating for equity in greater Minnesota and emphasizes the importance of agriculture in her community. 

Nalani Vang (she/her) is an honors undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in biology with a minor in human physiology. She is on the pre-med track and is dedicated to pursuing a career in surgical medicine. She works as an undergraduate research assistant, where she is involved in studying afferent renal nerves and hypertension in mice. Nalani is a medical scribe with Emergency Care Consultants who provides efficient care and quality work to providers and patients throughout central Minnesota. As a first-generation Hmong American college student, Nalani’s aspiration involves advocating for more inclusive and comprehensive healthcare reform to address the needs of women. She seeks to improve women’s healthcare by advocating for equal and accessible medical services, driving initiatives for better research and treatment options, and promoting gender diversity and equity within the healthcare industry. 

Ely (they/them) is a childcare and educational advocate with Cornerstone Advocacy Services in Bloomington. In 2024, they graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology. They were born and raised in Columbia Heights, and are currently involved with various domestic violence, sexual assault, and youth advocacy organizations in Hennepin County. While they identify as a gender non-conforming person, Ely advocates for including gender and feminine expansive identities in conversations and policies regarding women and AFAB people. Ely has a general passion for youth advocacy, and they also enjoy spending their downtime with their rescue dog, Dune, and listening to music.

Alex Zuñiga (she/her) is a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities studying human physiology on the pre-medicine track, intending to complete an MD/MPH program. She is a queer first-generation Filipino American with passions for the sciences and reproductive healthcare. She currently works as an EMT at Regions Hospital Level I Trauma and Emergency Center. Additionally, she is an undergraduate research assistant at the UMN Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, investigating the relationship between splenomegaly and hyperinsulinemia in neonatal mice. Outside of her professional commitments, she volunteers with Planned Parenthood advocating for reproductive justice and gender-expansive healthcare. In her free time, you may find her reading, baking bread, or singing at karaoke night. 

Amy Ruiz Plaza (she/her) is a third-year Cabinet member with a passion for combining advocacy and policy work with her health science background. She is a Latina-American with a B.S. in biology from Bethel University, where she graduated in May 2023. Currently, she works as a nursing assistant at Regions Hospital and is actively applying to medical schools to further her aspirations. Beyond her professional commitments, Amy is a mentor in the YA! program at CLUES, where she supports Latino high school students in their pursuit of higher education. Her dedication to the community extends to her volunteer work with the Mobile Health Initiative, where she collaborates with a team of medical professionals to provide essential medical care to refugees and immigrants in the Twin Cities and rural Minnesota. In her free time, Amy enjoys sewing, embroidering, and staying active through exercise. 

Sita Baker (she/her) is a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, pursuing a BA in global studies with a minor in cinema and media culture. As a returning Cabinet member, Sita is dedicated to empowering women and engaging with her community on matters important to her, such as the housing crisis. Sita is from Minneapolis; she represents her family from the Prairie Island Indian Community, Red Lake Nation, and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Committed to addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) epidemic, Sita is an ambassador for the Red Ribbon Skirt Society based in Rapid City, SD, and Wikoskalaka Omniciye at the Division of Indian Work, where she advocates for justice and raises awareness for affected families.